Report: social care managers live with regrets as they fail to achieve potential

Managers in the social care sector are plagued by a sense of regret, with many believing they have failed to reach their true potential. A survey by the Chartered Management Institute has found that managers at all levels feel are held back by red tape, poor resources and a lack of support. Conducted during September 2006, the survey also suggests that care organisations are failing to get the best from their employees. Only half of those questioned (51 per cent) believe they are fully using their skills in their current job. Only three in 10 are adamant that they ‘play to their strengths’. The survey was a self-classification survey with respondents being asked to select which sector they worked in. The number of social care managers who responded to the survey was 132, out of a total number 572 respondents. Key findings of the research include: # Riddled with regret: One third (32 per cent) of social care managers frequently look back over their career wishing they had developed new skills. Thirty-one p